Why is my phone requiring me 2 sign in 2x at start?

[LakerGirl]

I've suddenly found that I need to enter my pattern twice on my S9+ for my phone to start.
1. I turn the phone on, enter my pattern
2. The phone turns black-not really a restart, then the screen appears again.
3. I enter the same pattern and the phone is turned on.

I've tried restarting, resetting the setting to default, etc.

I can do a factory reset. I don't have much on the device.

I've a creepy stalker/hacker who has infiltrated my devices. Could I be signing him into my phone in one of these logins?

Many thanks for your consideration.

Lakergirl

 

[Unforgiven]

I've a creepy stalker/hacker who has infiltrated my devices. Could I be signing him into my phone in one of these logins?

I don't think so, let's troubleshoot first.

I can do a factory reset. I don't have much on the device.

We'll save that for a last resort.

1. I turn the phone on, enter my pattern
2. The phone turns black-not really a restart, then the screen appears again.
3. I enter the same pattern and the phone is turned on.

Does this happen when you turn the screen on? Or when you turn the phone on from being completely powered off?